Method for remotely monitoring a site for anticipated failure and maintenance with a plurality of controls

ABSTRACT

A method to monitor a status from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance for the plurality of equipment is described herein. A user can view at least one cycle, at least one control state, and at least one pressure. The user can also view equipment information, equipment repair history, and other information necessary to ensure that a piece of equipment has minimal down time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority and benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/214,750 filed on Apr. 28, 2009, entitled“SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COLLECTING, ARCHIVING AND VIEWING DATA FROMINDUSTRIAL OPERATING FACILITIES VIA THE INTERNET”. This reference ishereby incorporated in its entirety.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a method for monitoring astatus from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on adrilling site, while simultaneously enabling preventive maintenance ofthe plurality of equipment.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for a simple method operable without the need for trainingto detect changes in state of various components or parts of componentsused to drill oil and natural gas wells, or water wells that can beviewed locally, within a few feet of a site, or remotely, thousands ofmiles away, simultaneously, and allow for maintenance planning.

A need exists for a method to continuously and automatically monitoronshore and offshore drilling operations to ensure a safe, efficient,and cost effective drilling operation.

A need exists for a method to track equipment utilization, equipmentcycles, and valve cycles to provide for preventive maintenance,elimination of costly downtime, environmental protection, and anincrease in safety by identifying equipment in need of repair andmaintenance.

A need exists for a method that tracks information associated with adrilling operation including a historical status of the drilling andsafety equipment, particularly when the drilling operation is at aremote location that can take several days to reach.

A further need exists for a method that allows management, drillingexperts, and other operations personnel to remain physically remote fromthe drilling site, while having easy and timely access to the status ofa drilling operation and safety equipment.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the method.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the computer instructions within a site datastorage.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of the computer instructions within the monitorsand devices of the site data storage.

FIG. 4 is diagram of the computer instructions within the administrativedata storage.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of components within the administrative database.

FIG. 6 is a page generated from computer instructions for presenting aplurality of control states to a user.

FIG. 7 is a page generated from computer instructions for presenting aplurality of control cycles to a user.

FIG. 8 is a page generated from computer instructions for presentingpressure data to a user.

FIG. 9 is a page generated from computer instructions for presenting aplurality of valve cycles viewable by a user.

FIG. 10 is a pressure change detail page with a detailed 90 second viewof a pressure change.

FIG. 11 is a control state detail page depicting the control states inmore detail.

FIG. 12 is a pressure detail report for a 90 second interval.

FIG. 13 is a page allowing a user to edit at least one cycle count for avalve cycle or control cycle as part of a maintenance record.

FIG. 14 is a depiction of a multi-equipment multi-time-period report asviewable by a user.

FIG. 15A is a diagram of the steps involved in the method.

FIG. 15B is a continuation of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is a continuation of FIG. 15B.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listedFigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the present method in detail, it is to be understoodthat the method is not limited to the particular embodiments and that itcan be practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to a system and a method for monitoring astatus from a secondary location of a plurality of equipment on a site,such as a drilling rig for drilling natural gas or oil wells, whilesimultaneously enabling preventive maintenance for the plurality ofequipment on the site.

The system and the method can be used to continuously and automaticallymonitor onshore and offshore drilling operations to ensure safe,efficient, and cost effective drilling operations. Repairing drillingand safety equipment during a drilling operation can be time consumingand costly. For example, in an offshore drilling operation, replacing a$25.00 valve on a subsea blowout preventer can cause two or three daysof lost drilling time and several thousand dollars in added costs.

The system and the method can be used for tracking equipmentutilization, equipment cycles, and valve cycles to provide forpreventative maintenance, elimination of costly downtime, environmentalprotection, and an increase in safety by identifying equipment in needof repair and maintenance. For example, equipment failure during adrilling operation can lead to blowouts that endanger personnel,endanger equipment, and can have a sever impact on the environment.

The system and the method can save fossil fuels by improving operationalefficiency and eliminating unnecessary activities.

The system and the method can protect the environment by eliminating theaccidental release of toxic material that can result from equipmentfailure or operational failure.

A drilling operator can trouble-shoot a problem at the drilling site,even if the experienced personnel of the drilling operator are notphysically at the drilling site.

A system and the method to monitor a status from a secondary location ofa plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneouslyenabling preventive maintenance is described herein.

In an embodiment, the site equipment can be a valve, a blow outpreventer, other drilling equipment, a pressure line in a subseaumbilical, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the sensor data can be a digital signal, an analogsignal, a message, a report, or combinations thereof. Examples of themessage, the report, a presentation, or a document and useradministration item for selection by a user can include at least onecontrol status chart, at least one control status table, at least onepressure chart, at least one pressure table, at least one control cycle,at least one valve cycle, at least one selected rig, and a log out.Other reports and presentations can include a pressure change detailsreport

At a site, the system and the method can have data acquisition hardwarefor receiving and storing sensor data from a sensor attached to a pieceof equipment at the site.

The system and the method can have a site processor in communicationwith a site data storage for receiving the sensor data from the dataacquisition hardware. The site processor can be a computer or a server.The sensor data can be transmitted to an administrative server via anetwork. The network can include the Internet.

In an embodiment, the site process monitor 38 can have computerinstructions in the site data storage to monitor a status of a digitalinput monitor, an analog input monitor, a data transfer device, ananalog detail monitor, a site task processor device, or combinationsthereof.

The system and the method can have computer instructions in the sitedata storage for forming a database for the sensor data.

The system and the method can have a digital input monitor in the sitedata storage, an analog input monitor in the site data storage, ananalog detail monitor in the site data storage, a data transfer devicein the site data storage, a site task device in the site data storage,or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the digital input monitor can have computerinstructions in the site data storage for monitoring digital sensor datafrom the data acquisition equipment, computer instructions in the sitedata storage to compare digital sensor data to determine if a change inthe digital sensor data occurs and to store the data once a changeoccurs, or computer instructions in the site data storage to storedigital sensor data after a preset number of cycles.

The digital input monitor can read the sensor data on a periodic cycleand can mask any unused digital bits. The digital input monitor candetermine if a change in the digital sensor information and sensor dataoccurs. For example, if the digital data changes, these computerinstructions can store both the original digital data and the changeddigital data to the database, as well as a timestamp of the changes.

The digital input monitor can store sensor data to the site databaseafter a preset number of cycles, even if the digital data is unchanged.For example, for a blowout preventer ram on an oil rig, the digitalinput monitor can determine whether the ram cycled and store thisinformation to the site database. The digital input monitor can alsotimestamp this information to indicate when the ram cycle occurred.

In an embodiment, the analog input monitor can have computerinstructions in the site data storage for monitoring analog sensor datafrom the data acquisition equipment, computer instructions in the sitedata storage to compare analog sensor data to determine if a change inthe analog sensor data occurs and to store the data once a changeoccurs, or computer instructions in the site data storage to storeanalog sensor data after a preset number of cycles.

The analog input monitor can monitor voltage and current data from thedata acquisition hardware on a periodic time cycle. The analog inputmonitor can determine if a change in sensor voltage or current issignificant. If the change is significant, both the previous voltage andthe current voltage or current data can be stored to the database alongwith a timestamp indicating when the change occurred.

The analog input monitor can store sensor data in the site data storageafter a preset number of cycles even if the sensor data is unchanged,such as storing sensor data after every 25 cycles.

In an embodiment, the data transfer device can have computerinstructions in the site data storage to transmit the sensor data sensordata stored by the digital input monitor, the analog input monitor, theanalog detail monitor, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the data transfer device can have computerinstructions in the site data storage to verify a transfer of thedigital sensor data and the analog sensor data is complete, or computerinstructions in the site data storage to mark the digital sensor dataand the analog sensor data as transferred.

In an embodiment, the data transfer device can have computerinstructions to transmit at least one message and at least one reportstored by the digital input monitor, the analog input monitor, theanalog detail monitor, the data transfer device, the site processmonitor and the site task device.

The data transfer device can verify that a transfer of sensor data iscomplete. The data transfer device can verify the occurrence of atransfer by receiving either a positive response or a negative responsefrom the administrative server.

The data transfer device can mark sensor data as transferred once thetransfer occurs. If a positive response is received, the data in thedatabase can be marked as transferred. If a negative response isreceived, the data is not marked as transferred and additional transferattempts can be made at a later time. Marking of the information anddata can occur by setting a data transfer indicator associated with theparticular data item in the database.

In an embodiment, the site task device can have computer instructions inthe site data storage to generate a report on disk utilization, computerinstructions in the site data storage to execute an operating systemutility command, or computer instructions in the site data storage toperform another computer system maintenance activity. Another computersystem maintenance activity can create a list of the programs running onthe computer. The list can include the memory and central processorutilization for each program running on the computer.

The system and the method can have a site process monitor in the sitedata storage for monitoring the digital input monitor, the analog inputmonitor, the analog detail monitor, the data transfer device, and thesite task device.

The site process monitor can start or end all of the other monitors anddevices.

In an embodiment, the site process monitor can have computerinstructions in the site data storage to monitor a status of the digitalinput monitor, the analog input monitor, the data transfer device, theanalog detail input monitor, the site task device, or combinationsthereof. This multiple device monitoring occurs by periodically pollingeach monitor or device to determine if it is currently running and if itis functioning correctly.

The system and the method can have an analog detail monitor in the sitedata storage. The analog detail monitor can have computer instructionsin the site data storage for monitoring analog data from the dataacquisition equipment. The analog detail monitor can have computerinstructions in the site data storage to compare analog sensor data todetect a change in analog sensor data.

The analog detail monitor can monitor sensor data on a rapid datasampling cycle and continuously save the sensor data to a data buffer.When the analog detail monitor detects a significant change in eithervoltage or current, additional data can be added to the buffer until afull window of data has been collected. When a complete window of datahas been collected, it can be saved to the database.

The term “rapid sampling rate” as used herein means changes in voltageor current data that can occur within 100 milliseconds to 500milliseconds. For example, the analog detail monitor can be capable ofmonitoring, collecting and storing a detailed pressure versus timeprofile over several minutes with a sampling rate of 100 milliseconds.

The system and the method can have a plurality of configurationlibraries. The plurality of configuration libraries can include adigital input monitor configuration library, an analog input monitorconfiguration library, a site task device configuration library, a datatransfer device configuration library, an analog detail monitorconfiguration library or a site process monitor configuration library.

In an embodiment, the digital input monitor configuration library caninclude a site identifier (ID); a database connection information; adigital data acquisition hardware and bit configuration; an unused bitmask; a power-on, a lamp test, and an alarm bit identification; adigital data acquisition hardware read and poll intervals; and anidentifier for the software driver used to communicate with the digitaldata acquisition hardware.

In an embodiment, the analog input monitor configuration library caninclude the site identifier (ID), the database connection information,the analog data acquisition hardware and I/O configuration, an unusedI/O channel mask, the significant voltage or current change thresholds,the analog data acquisition hardware read and poll intervals, and anidentifier for the software driver used to communicate with the analogdata acquisition hardware.

In an embodiment, the analog detail monitor configuration library caninclude the site identifier (ID), the database connection information,the analog data acquisitions hardware and I/O configuration, an unusedI/O channel mask, the sampling rate, the size of the sampling window,and an identifier for the software driver used to communicate with theanalog data acquisition hardware.

In an embodiment, the site task device configuration library can includethe site identifier (ID), the database connection information, and thewait interval for checking to see if there are any tasks to perform.

In an embodiment, the data transfer device configuration library caninclude the site identifier (ID), the database connection information,the wait interval between data transfers, and the maximum number of dataelements transferred in any one transfer cycle can be included as one ofthe plurality of libraries.

In an embodiment, the site process monitor configuration library caninclude the site identifier (ID), the database connection information,an identifier for each process to be monitored including a type ofprocess indicator, the maximum allowable restarts for any failingprocess, the time interval for checking on the monitored processes, anda system startup hold-off time interval.

The system and the method can have site web server computer instructionsin the site data storage to allow web access to the site data storage,site web server computer instructions in the site data storage toreceive a request for status of the site processor, or combinationsthereof.

The request for status can take the form of a web report. The web reportcan summarize the most recent messages and reports that were generatedby the various monitors and devices, the last time each monitor anddevice completed a cycle, and the last time any sensor data was sent tothe administrative server.

At a secondary location, the system and the method can have anadministrative server in communication with a site via a network, suchas the Internet. The administrative server can have an administrativeprocessor.

It is important to make a distinction between the data that can begenerated at the site and the data that can be ultimately presented tothe end user. The sensor data can be captured by the site processor andcan be viewed as raw data. This raw data can be transferred to theadministrative server and stored. The administrative server can generatevarious user reports and displays from this raw data.

The administrative server can transform the raw data into usefulinformation, performing various analyses and correlations on the rawdata or information, and presenting this information to the end user, sothat the user can easily and quickly understood the information.

It is not anticipated that an end user have access to the site processoror that there is a local program or function on the site processor forthe end user to use. An end user at the site, like other remote endusers can log onto an administrative server to view informationregarding the equipment at the drilling site.

The system and the method can have an administrative data storage in theadministrative server. The administrative data storage can have anadministrative process monitor, an administrative site monitor, anadministrative task device, or an administrative task transfer device.

The administrative process monitor can initiate and monitor theadministrative site monitor, the administrative task device, and theadministrative task transfer device. The administrative process monitorcan periodically check on the status of each monitor and device. If oneof the monitors or the devices is malfunctioning, the administrativeprocess monitor can restart each malfunctioning monitor or device.

The administrative site monitor can periodically send a message to eachsite being monitored to determine if the site is functioning correctlyand that the communication link to the site is working. If theadministrative site monitor does not receive a response from theparticular site, the administrative site monitor can generate a messagein the administrative server database.

The administrative task device can be similar to the site task device.The administrative task device can perform various utility tasks on theadministrative server. The administrative task device can check thedatabase to see if there are any tasks it should perform. If a task isfound, the administrative task device can perform the task and reportthe results to the database.

The administrative task transfer device can transfer tasks to beperformed on one of the sites to the site's database. The administrativetask transfer device can check the administrative database to see ifthere are any tasks to transfer to one of the sites. If a task is found,the administrative task transfer device can transfer the task to theappropriate site database. If the transfer is successful, the task canbe marked in the database as having been transferred.

The administrative server can have a plurality of administrativeconfiguration libraries, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, theplurality of administrative configuration libraries can include anadministrative process monitor configuration library, an administrativesite monitor configuration library, an administrative task deviceconfiguration library, or an administrative task transfer deviceconfiguration library.

The administrative process monitor configuration library can includeinformation, such as an identifier for each process to be monitoredincluding a type of process indicator, database connection information,the maximum allowable number of restarts for any failing process, thetime interval for checking the processes, a system startup hold-off timeinterval, or combinations thereof.

The administrative site monitor configuration library can includeinformation, such as an identifier for each site being monitored,database connection information, the time wait interval between sitemonitoring requests.

The administrative task device configuration library can includedatabase connection information, or information related to the time waitinterval between checks to see if there are any tasks to perform, orcombinations thereof.

The administrative task transfer device configuration library caninclude database connection information, or information on the time waitinterval between checks to see if there are any tasks to transfer tovarious sites, or combinations thereof.

The administrative data storage can have computer instructions forforming an administrative database. The administrative database canstore sensor data from the site. The administrative database can includea name of each piece of equipment at the site being monitored, a modelnumber, an age, and specification information on the equipment, such asinformation on how to replace the equipment and the cost of theequipment.

Additional database information can include a timestamp to indicate whena data item is saved to the database. Data items can include an analogvoltage data, a digital data, an error or information message, or anerror or information report.

The administrative data storage can have computer instructions forforming an administrative web server. The administrative web server canreceive and store the sensor data to the administrative data storage.The sensor data can be transmitted from the site to the administrativeweb server via the network.

The administrative data storage can have computer instructions forreceiving, verifying, and storing site signals.

The administrative data storage can have computer instructions forcombining a plurality of site signals with site configurationinformation to generate site data for the plurality of equipment at thesite.

In an embodiment, the site configuration information can be siteinformation, site control information, site control valve information,user security information, or site pressure information. Siteinformation can include details about the site, such as the location ofthe drilling rig, the IP address, rig identification number, orcombinations thereof.

Site control information can include details about the controls, such asthe functions of the control or the mapping between the digital sensordata and the control. The site control valve information can includedetails about the valve, such as maximum cycles of the valve, the valvetype, the valve location, the valve function, or combinations thereof.

The user security information can include security-related informationfor the user to access the administrative server. To access theadministrative server, the user must input certain security-relatedinformation. Each user has a security profile that determines what theuser can access on the administrative server.

Site pressure information can include details about the site pressures,such as pressure type, pressure range, or combinations thereof.

For example, sensor data received from a site can be combined with thesite's digital and control configuration data to determine whichcontrols may have changed states. The derived control state informationcan be stored in the administrative database. The derived control stateinformation can be combined with the sites control valve configurationinformation to determine which valves were cycled as a result of thecontrol state change. The control valve cycle information can be storedin the administrative database.

In an embodiment, the site data can include control state data, controlcycle data, control valve data, pressure data, or combinations thereof.

The administrative data storage can have computer instructions forpresenting at least one control state to the user, computer instructionsfor presenting at least one pressure data to the user, computerinstructions for presenting at least one valve cycle to the user, orcomputer instructions for presenting at least one control cycle to theuser.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions to present asite description, computer instructions to present a page address, orcomputer instructions to present a last report date and time from thesite. An example of a time stamp can be the date and time a piece ofequipment made a transition to a new state on the site, when asignification voltage or current change was detected, or when a digitalvalue change was detected.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions to present amenu of reports, a presentation, a documentation, or the useradministration item for selection by the user.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions to present acalendar allowing the user to select a date for viewing. In anembodiment, the calendar is by days of the month. The user can pick adate on the calendar.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions enabling theuser to select a time scale for viewing. A variety of time scales can beselected, such as four weeks, one week, 24 hours, 12 hours, six hours,one hour, or some other time scale. Additional computer instructions canprovide tic marks on a resulting chart enabling a visual subdivision ofthe time scale.

Additional computer instructions can be provided enabling the productionof a time scale report for selected control. The time scale report caninclude a name of site equipment, a state of a control selected at thesite during a selected time scale, visual indicator which indicatedifferent states of the control during the selected time scale.

The indicators can be colors which are coded for each state of thecontrol. The states of the control can include (i) unknown state; (ii)block or vent state, (iii) open state, or (iv) closed state. The unknownstate can be blue, the block or vent can be yellow, the open state canbe green, or the closed state can be red for easy visual viewing toquickly stop damage or act promptly on the equipment. Other color tocontrol state associations can be possible, but this depends on the siteand the type of equipment being monitored.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions enabling theuser to select a control or a group of controls for viewing. A controlor a group of controls for viewing can include blowout preventercontrols, such as an upper annular preventer or a lower annularpreventer. Other controls can include an upper ram, a middle ram, alower ram, various choke and kill lines, a riser connector, a wellheadconnector, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions enabling theuser to clear a list of at least one control. For example, the upperannular control and the lower annular control may have been checked. Theuser can then click the “clear” button and view the choke and kill linecontrols instead.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions enabling theuser to refresh at least one item presented to the user that is a timebased item. An example of an item that is a time-based item can be thestate of a blowout preventer ram or an annular control.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions enabling theuser to view an identifier for the site being monitored. An identifiercan be an alpha code, a numeric code, a bar code, a photograph, adiagram, a schematic, a name, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions forpresenting a time stamp to the user indicating when information to arequested status response was provided to the administrative server fromthe site processor.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions for allowingthe user to shift the time scale. These computer instructions allow theuser to shift a time scale 2 hours later, 2 hours earlier, 4 hourslater, 4 hours earlier, 24 hours later, 24 hours earlier, or othercombinations thereof of time shifts.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions forproviding a start date and time for a chart requested by the user.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions forproviding a chart legend to the user for the chart. A chart legend caninclude the color, such as red, green, yellow, blue, black, gray, orother color used to represent each control state for each control. Forexample, the color green can be used to indicate that a blowoutpreventer ram is open, and red can be used to indicate that the blowoutpreventer ram is closed.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions providing atime code for a chart start date and time, a chart midpoint time, and achart end date and time, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onecontrol state to the user can include computer instructions to provide atime scale report for a selected control using color.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure data to the user can include computer instructions to present asite description, such as a photo, or a name or another type ofidentifier.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure data to the user can include computer instructions to indicatea page address to the user to indicate which report, presentation, orweb page is visible to the user. The administrative website can use apage address, or a page description, to give the user a hint of wherethe user is located within the website.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure data to the user can include computer instructions to present alast report date and time from the site, computer instructions topresent a menu of reports, a presentation, a documentation, and the useradministration item for selection by the user, or computer instructionsto present a calendar allowing the user to select a date for viewing.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure data to the user can include computer instructions to enablethe user to clear a list of at least one pressure type, computerinstructions enabling the user to select a time scale for viewing,computer instructions to enable the user to select at least one pressuretype for viewing, computer instructions for presenting a type ofpressure, or computer instructions to enable the user to refresh atleast one item presented to the user that is a time based item

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure data to the user can include computer instructions to enablethe user to view an identifier for the site being monitored, computerinstructions for presenting a time stamp to the user indicating wheninformation to a requested response was provided to the administrativeserver from the site processor, computer instructions for presenting apressure scale to the user, computer instructions for allowing the userto shift the time scale, or computer instructions for presenting ahyperlink to a detailed pressure change report, computer instructionsfor providing a start date and time for a chart requested by the user.

The computer instructions for presenting at least one pressure data tothe user can include computer instructions to provide a state change foreach control related to the pressure change. For example, opening theupper annular control will correlate with changes in both the pilotpressure and the accumulator pressure.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to present asite description. The site description can be a name, an address, acode, a picture or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to indicate apage address to the user to indicate which report, presentation or webpage is visible to the user. The page address can be an address a pagenumber within the presentation of pressure data or within thepresentation of cycles to the user.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to present alast report date and time from the site.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to present amenu of reports, a presentation, a documentation, or user administrationitems for selection by the user.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to enable theuser to select a control or a group of controls for viewing, computerinstructions to enable the user to clear a list of at least one control,or computer instructions to enable the user to refresh at least one itempresented to the user that is a time based item.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to enable theuser to view an identifier for the site being monitored. The identifiercan be an alpha code, a numeric code, a bar code, a photograph, adiagram, a schematic, or combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions for presentinga time stamp to the user indicating when information to a requestedresponse was provided to the administrative server from the siteprocessor, or computer instructions to provide a name of a control tothe control cycle report with an additional hyperlink to an additionalreport.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions for providinga location for each control or each valve. The location can identify aphysical location of the control or the valve at a site.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions for providinga number of cycles that each control or each valve experienced.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onevalve cycle to the user can include computer instructions to provide avalve type, computer instructions to provide the function of a controlor valve, computer instructions to provide a cycle count maximum, orcomputer instructions to provide a percent of current cycle countcompared to a cycle count maximum.

A detail of a selected control can be provided, such as the number oftimes a blowout preventer ram was opened or closed, or the number oftimes the selected control's shuttle valve was cycled can be shown.

The name of a control can be provided on the control cycle report with ahyperlink to additional reports.

The system and the method can have at least one user client device incommunication with the administrative server. The user client device canhave a user display, a user processor, or a user data storage incommunication with the user processor.

In an embodiment, the administrative data storage can include computerinstructions for allowing the user to reset a cycle count for a valve ora control, computer instructions for allowing the user to enter a countnumber from which to initiate a count, computer instructions to displaythe current cycle count of a control or a valve, computer instructionsto save cycle information, or computer instructions enabling the user toreturn to a previous screen without saving.

In an embodiment, the administrative data storage can include computerinstructions to provide a control or valve description, computerinstructions for allowing the user to see a visual schematic to select avalve for resetting a cycle count, computer instructions for allowingthe user to input a description indicating a reason for resetting avalve or cycle count, or computer instructions to present a calendarallowing the user to select a date.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forselecting a pressure change detail, or computer instructions to clear alist of pressure changes.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forenabling the user to refresh at least one item presented to the userthat is a time based item.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions togenerate a time dependent pressure detail chart. The time dependentpressure detail chart can include a profile parameter of a time durationand a pressure change during the pressure transition. The time durationcan be from 30 seconds to 5 minutes on a fine time scale, such as asampling rate of once every 100 milliseconds.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forpresenting all pressures during any pressure transition. An example ofthis can include pressure changes for the pilot pressure, theaccumulator pressure, and the rig air pressure.

The computer instructions to generate a time dependent pressure detailchart can include computer instructions for generating a title with timeand date of a selected pressure change, computer instructions forpresenting a pressure scale, or computer instructions for presenting achange in time, a change in pressure, or combinations thereof tocharacterize the pressure transition.

The computer instructions to generate a time dependent pressure detailchart can include a time scale, or a pressure legend.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forpresenting a pressure to the user. The pressure can be determined on atime versus pressure scale by name of pressure type.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forpresenting all pressures during any pressure transition, computerinstructions for presenting a type of pressure, computer instructionsfor presenting a pressure scale to the user, computer instructions forpresenting a start and end time scale, or computer instructions forproviding a start date and time for a chart requested by the user.

In an embodiment, the computer instructions for presenting at least onepressure change to the user can include computer instructions forproviding a time scale different from the start and end time scale, orcomputer instructions for presenting a pressure legend.

In an embodiment, the administrative data storage can have computerinstructions to present a calendar allowing the user to select a datefor viewing, computer instructions enabling the user to select a timescale for viewing, computer instructions for allowing the user to shiftthe time scale, computer instructions for providing a start date andtime for a chart requested by the user, computer instructions forgenerating a start date and time of a control state interval, orcomputer instructions for generating a end date and time of a controlstate.

In an embodiment, the administrative data storage can have computerinstructions for generating an indicator by color, or computerinstructions for generating a time duration of a control state interval.

The method can be used for monitoring a status from a secondary locationof a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, while simultaneouslyenabling preventive maintenance for each of the plurality of equipment.

The method can include using a site data storage in communication with asite processor. The site processor can implement a plurality offunctionalities.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includereceiving and storing sensor data from at least one sensor attached toan equipment at the site, receiving a sensor signal by using a siteprocessor in communication with the site data storage, verifying thatthe sensor signal has been received by the site processor, and storingthe sensor signal in a database.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includeforming a database for the sensor data.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includetracking digital input using a digital input monitor, tracking analoginput from the data acquisition hardware using an analog input monitorin the site data storage, or tracking an analog detail using an analogdetail monitor to obtain detailed operational information.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includetransferring the digital input, the analog input, the analog detail, orcombinations thereof, using a data transfer device in the site datastorage.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can include usinga site task device in the site data storage to monitor the database, toidentify a specific task, and to perform the specific task once thespecific task has been identified.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includemonitoring the digital input monitor, the analog input monitor, theanalog detail monitor, the data transfer device, and the site taskdevice by using a site process monitor to ensure each monitor or deviceis operating correctly.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includeforming a site database, installing a plurality of site configurationlibraries into the site data storage, using site web server computerinstructions to create a site based website, and receiving at least onerequest for status from the administrative server.

The functionalities implemented by the site processor can includeresponding to at least one request for status using the site basedwebsite.

The method can include using an administrative data storage at asecondary location. The administrative data storage can be incommunication with an administrative processor. The administrativeprocessor can implement a plurality of functionalities.

The functionalities implemented by the administrative processor caninclude transmitting at least one request for status to the siteprocessor. The site processor can respond to the request and send theresponse back to the administrative processor via the network.

The functionalities implemented by the administrative processor caninclude receiving a response to the at least one request from the siteprocessor, or receiving sensor data, messages and reports from the sitedata storage.

The functionalities implemented by the administrative processor caninclude transmitting at least one task to the site database using anadministrative task transfer device, forming an administrative database,installing a plurality of administrative configuration libraries, orforming an administrative web server using computer instructions. Theadministrative web server can receive, verify, and store the pluralityof site signals transmitted by the site processor.

The functionalities implemented by the administrative processor caninclude combining the site configuration information with the pluralityof site signals to generate site data for equipment at the site,presenting at least one control state to the user, presenting at leastone pressure data to the user, presenting at least one control cycle tothe user, or presenting at least one valve cycle to the user.

The method can include using at least one user client device tocommunicate with the secondary location. The user client device can havea user display, a user processor and a user data storage incommunication with the user processor.

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of the overall method.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of the method. The method can have a site 6, such asan offshore oil rig. The site can be a plant, or another facility thatutilizes multiple controls, multiple pressures or multiple valves.

There is site equipment 11, such as a valve 7, at the site 6. The siteequipment can have sensors 10 attached to the site equipment 11.

The sensor data 9 from the sensors 10 attached to site equipment 11 canbe transferred from the sensor to the data acquisition hardware 8.

The data acquisition hardware 8 can be connected to a data acquisitionpower supply 12. The data acquisition power supply is depicted as a “daqpower supply”.

A plurality of data signals 13A from the data acquisition hardware 8 canbe transferred by wireless connection or wired connection to a siteprocessor 14. The site processor 14 can have a site power supply 15. Thesite processor 14 can be in communication with a site data storage 16.

The site processor 14 can transfer a plurality of data signals 13 b fromthe site data storage 16 over a network 19A and to an administrativeserver 50. The administrative server 50 can have an administrativeprocessor 52 and an administrative data storage 54 in communication withthe administrative processor 52.

The administrative server 50 can communicate over the network 19B forcommunication with one or more user client devices 58 a, 58 b.

The user client devices 58 a, 58 b can have a user display 59 a, 59 b,in communication with a user processor 60 a, 60 b and a user datastorage 62 a, 62 b.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the computer instructions within the site datastorage 16. The computer instructions in the site data storage caninclude the site process monitor 38, a digital input monitor 20, ananalog input monitor 24, a data transfer device 28, an analog detailmonitor 45, and a site task device 31.

The site data storage 16 can be depicted with the computer instructionsfor forming a site database 18, and computer instructions 42 forcreating and storing at least one report from the digital input monitor20, the analog input monitor 24, the data transfer device 28, the sitetask device 31, the site process monitor 38 and the analog detailmonitor 45.

The site data storage 16 can also have computer instructions 44 forcreating and storing at least one message on the digital input monitor20, the analog input monitor 24, the data transfer device 28, the sitetask device 31, the site process monitor 38 and the analog detailmonitor 45.

The site database can have at least one digital signal 32, at least oneanalog signal 33, at least one message 37, or at least one report 39.

The site data storage 16 can include a plurality of configurationlibraries 63, which can include a digital input monitor configurationlibrary 64, an analog input monitor configuration library 65, a sitetask device configuration library 66, a data transfer deviceconfiguration library 67, an analog detail monitor configuration library68, and a site process monitor configuration library 69.

Examples of the information in these libraries can include the softwaredriver associated with the data acquisition hardware, the databaseconnection information, the hardware polling cycle, the masks toindicate unused control bits or analog I/O channels, control bitsassociated with a power-on, a lamp test, or an alarm.

The site data storage 16 can include site web server computerinstructions 70 for creating a web server at the site and a site webserver with computer instructions 71 to receive a request for status ofthe site processor.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of the computer instructions within the monitorsand devices of the site data storage 16. FIG. 3 shows the site datastorage 16 having a site process monitor 38. The site process monitor 38can have computer instructions 41 to monitor status of the digital inputmonitor 20, the analog input monitor 24, the data transfer device 28,the site task device 31, and the analog detail monitor 45.

The digital input monitor 20 can have computer instructions 21 forreceiving digital signals from the data acquisition equipment. Thedigital input monitor can have computer instructions 22 for comparingdigital data to determine if a change in a digital signal occurs. Thedigital input monitor 20 can also store the data once a change occurs. Achange in a digital signal refers to a change in an equipment state asindicated by a solenoid, a pressure switch, or other digital signal.

The digital input monitor 20 can have computer instructions 23 to storedigital signals from the data acquisition equipment after a presetnumber of cycles, such as 25 cycles.

The analog input monitor 24 is depicted with computer instructions 25for receiving analog sensor data from the data acquisition equipment,such as voltage or current associated with at least one analog signal.

The analog input monitor 24 can have computer instructions 26 to compareanalog signals to determine if a change in an analog data occurs. Theanalog input monitor 24 can also store the data once a change occurs.These computer instructions can operate by comparing the voltage orcurrent from the current reading with the voltage or current from theprevious readings.

The analog input monitor 24 can have computer instructions 27 to storean analog signal after a preset number of cycles even if the change inreading is below a change threshold.

The data transfer device 28 can have computer instructions 29 fortransmitting any sensor data stored by the digital input monitor, theanalog detail monitor, or the analog input monitor. The data transferdevice 28 can have computer instructions 43 for transmitting at leastone report or at least one message for all of the programs running onthe site processor.

The data transfer device 28 can have computer instructions 30 to verifythe transfers of sensor data, the at least one report, or the at leastone message is complete.

The data transfer device 28 can have computer instructions 40 formarking the sensor data, the at least one report, or the at least onemessage as transferred to the administrative server. The sensor data,the at least one report, or the at least one message can be marked witha transfer indicator to reflect if the data item has been successfullytransferred or if it still needs to be transferred.

The site task device 31 can include computer instructions 34 to generatea report such as on disc utilization. The site task device 31 caninclude computer instructions 35 in the site data storage to execute anoperating system utility command, or computer instructions 36 in thesite data storage to perform another computer system maintenanceactivity.

The method can use an analog detail monitor 45 in the site data storage.The analog detail monitor 45 can have computer instructions 46 in thesite data storage for monitoring analog data from the data acquisitionequipment. The analog detail monitor can have computer instructions 47in the site data storage to compare analog sensor data to detect achange in analog sensor data.

The analog detail monitor can monitor sensor data on a rapid datasampling cycle and continuously save the sensor data to a data buffer.When the analog detail monitor detects a significant change in eithervoltage or current, additional data can be added to the buffer until afull window of data has been collected. When a complete window of datahas been collected, it can be saved to the database.

FIG. 4 is diagram of the computer instructions within the administrativedata storage 54.

The administrative data storage 54 can have computer instructions toperform the steps of an administrative process monitor 76. Once theadministrative process monitor is created, the administrative datastorage 54 can have computer instructions to perform the steps of anadministrative site monitor 78.

Once the administrative process monitor is created 76, theadministrative data storage 54 can have computer instructions to performthe steps of an administrative task device 80.

Once the administrative process monitor 76 is created, theadministrative data storage 54 can have computer instructions to performthe steps of an administrative task transfer device 82.

A plurality of administrative configuration libraries 83 can be storedin the administrative data storage 54, which can include anadministrative process monitor configuration library 84, anadministrative site monitor configuration library 86, an administrativetask device configuration library 88, and an administrative tasktransfer device configuration library 90.

The administrative data storage 54 can include computer instructions 92for forming an administrative database. The administrative database canstore information from a site via a site to administrative servernetwork, which can be a satellite network, the Internet, a cellularnetwork, another wireless network, or combinations of networks.

The administrative data storage 54 can include administrative web servercomputer instructions 93 to receive and store information transmittedover the network can be stored in the administrative data storage 54.

The administrative data storage 54 can include web server computerinstructions 110 to receive, verify, and store site signals 97. Theadministrative data storage 54 can include web server computerinstructions 111 for combining a plurality of site signals 97 with siteconfiguration information 106 to generate site data 125 for theplurality of equipment at the site.

The administrative data storage 54 can include computer instructions 112for presenting at least one control state to a user, computerinstructions 114 for presenting at least one pressure data to the user,computer instructions 116 for presenting at least one valve cycle to theuser, and computer instructions 223 for presenting at least one controlcycle to the user.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of components within the administrative database 92.The administrative database 92 can include computer instructions forcombining a plurality of site signals 97 with site configurationinformation 106 to generate site data 125 for the plurality of equipmentat the site.

The plurality of site signals 97 can include at least one digital signal95, at least one analog signal 96, at least one message 98, or at leastone report 100.

The site configuration information 106 can include site information 101,control information 102, pressure information 103, control valveinformation 108, and user security information 107.

The generation of site data 125 can include at least one control statedata 105, at least one control cycle data 113, at least one controlvalve data 109, and at least one pressure data 115.

FIG. 6 is a page generated from computer instructions 112 for presentingat least one control state to the user.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 118 topresent a site description, such as an address of the facility beingmonitored.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 119 toindicate a page address to the user as the page occurs within thewebsite, computer instructions 120 to present a last report date andtime from site, or computer instructions 121 to present a menu ofreports, presentations, documentation, user administration for selectionby the user.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 122 forallowing the user to select a date for viewing control states, andcomputer instructions 124 enabling the user to select a time scale forviewing control states.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 126 forselecting an individual or a group of controls for viewing, computerinstructions 128 allowing the user to clear a list of selectedindividual controls or groups of controls, computer instructions 130 forenabling the user to refresh at least one item presented to the userthat is a time based item, computer instructions 131 for presenting anidentifier for the site being monitored, computer instructions 132 forpresenting the application description, and computer instructions 133 topresent a time stamp to the user indicating when information to arequested response was provided to the administrative server from thesite processor.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 135A,135B for allowing the user to shift the time scale, computerinstructions 138A to provide a start date and time, and computerinstructions 140 to provide a chart legend to the user for understandingany charts generated.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions forproviding a time code for a start date and time 138B, 138C, a chartmidpoint time 141A, 141B, and a chart end date and time 139A, 139B, orcombinations thereof.

The computer instructions 112 can include computer instructions 144A,144B to provide tic marks to enable a visual subdivision of the timescale, and can include computer instructions 146A, 146B to provide atime scale report for each selected control including a name of siteequipment from which monitoring data is obtained, a state of the controlduring a selected time scale, a visual indicator to indicate eachdifferent state for the control during the selected time scale. Forexample, green can represent open, red can represent closed, yellow canbe unknown, or blue can be block or vent.

FIG. 7 is a page generated from computer instructions 223 for presentinga plurality of control cycles to the user. Computer instructions 223 caninclude computer instructions 118 to present a site description, such asan address of the facility being monitored.

The computer instructions 223 can include computer instructions 119 toindicate a page address to the user as the page occurs within thewebsite, computer instructions 120 to present a last report date andtime from the site, or computer instructions 121 to present a menu ofreports, presentations, documentation, user administration for selectionby the user.

The computer instructions 223 can include computer instructions 126 forselecting an individual or a group of controls for viewing, and computerinstructions 128 for allowing the user to clear a list of selectedindividual controls or groups of controls.

The computer instructions 223 can include computer instructions 130 forenabling the user to refresh at least one item presented to the userthat is a time based item, computer instructions 131 presenting anidentifier for the site being monitored, computer instructionspresenting an application description 132, and computer instructions 133to present a time stamp to the user indicating when information to arequested response was provided to the administrative server from thesite processor.

Computer instructions 223 can include computer instructions 156 toprovide a name of a control to the control cycle report with a hyperlinkto additional reports, computer instructions 169 to provide anidentification of the function of a selected control, computerinstructions 160 to provide a location for each selected control, andcomputer instructions 162 to provide a cycle count. The cycle count canbe the number of cycles each control has undergone.

FIG. 8 is a page generated from computer instructions 114 for presentingat least one pressure data to the user. The computer instructions 114can have computer instructions 118 to present a site description,computer instructions 119 to indicate a page address to the user as thepage occurs within the website, computer instructions 120 to present alast report date and time from site, and computer instructions 121 topresent a menu of reports, presentations, documentations, useradministration for selection by the user.

The computer instructions 114 can have computer instructions 122 topresent a calendar allowing the user to select a date for viewing apressure, computer instructions 124 enabling the user to select a timescale for viewing a pressure, computer instructions 127 for selecting anindividual pressure or a group of pressures for viewing, computerinstructions 123 allowing the user to clear a list of a selectedindividual pressures or a selected group of pressures, and computerinstructions 130 for enabling the user to refresh at least one itempresented to the user that is a time based item.

The computer instructions 114 can have computer instructions 131 forpresenting an identifier for the site being monitored, computerinstructions 132 for presenting the application description, andcomputer instructions 133 for presenting a time stamp to the userindicating when information to a requested response was provided to theadministrative server from the site processor.

The computer instructions 114 can have computer instructions 134A, 134Bfor presenting a pressure scale, computer instructions 135A, 135B toprovide a time shift scale control to the user, computer instructions138 to provide a start date and time of the chart requested by the user,and computer instructions 137A, 137B for presenting a pressure graph.

The computer instructions 137A, 137B for presenting a pressure graph caninclude computer instructions 129A, 129B for presenting the pressurename, computer instructions 136A, 136B for presenting a hyper link,computer instructions 143A, 143B for presenting a start to end timescale, and computer instructions 144A, 144B to provide a tic mark toenable a visual subdivision of the time scale.

FIG. 9 is a page generated from computer instructions 116 for presentingat least one valve cycle viewable by the user. Computer instructions 116can include computer instructions 118 to present a site description,such as an address of the facility being monitored.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 119 toindicate a page address to the user as the page occurs within thewebsite, computer instructions 120 to present a last report date andtime from the site, or computer instructions 121 to present a menu ofreports, presentations, documentation, user administration for selectionby the user.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 126 forselecting an individual or a group of controls for viewing, and computerinstructions 128 allowing the user to clear a list of selectedindividual controls or groups of controls.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 130 forenabling the user to refresh at least one item presented to the userthat is a time based item, computer instructions 131 presenting anidentifier for the site being monitored, computer instructions 132presenting a description of the application, computer instructions 133to present a last site time stamp to the user indicating wheninformation to a requested response was provided to the administrativeserver from the site processor.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 162 toprovide a cycle count, such as the number of times the valve opened, anda number of times the valve closed.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 156 toprovide a control name, computer instructions 164 to providing a valveidentification, such as a part number, and computer instructions 169 toprovide the function of each valve or each control, as well as computerinstructions 160 to provide a location of each valve or each control.

The computer instructions 116 can include computer instructions 170 toprovide a cycle count maximum by valve as well as computer instructions172 to provide a percent max, which is a percent of current cycle countcompared to a maximum cycle count to the user for each valve selected.

FIG. 10 is a pressure change detail page with a detailed 90 second viewof a pressure change.

The pressure change detail page can have a site description 118, a siteidentifier 131, an application description 132, a last site timestamp133A, 133B, a last report date from site 120, and a menu 121.

The pressure change detail page can indicate a page address 119 to theuser as the page occurs within the website.

The pressure change detail page can have a pressure change detail window220. The pressure change detail window 220 can indicate a pressure type129. The pressure change detail window 220 can have a pressure historygraph 137, and a pressure change graph 152. The pressure history graph137 can have a pressure scale 134A, a time division tic mark 144, and atime scale 143. The pressure change graph 152 can have a pressure scale134B, a time division tic mark 206, a time increment 224, and a pressurelegend 225.

The pressure change detail page can have a select pressure changecontrol 203, a clear all 198 of a list of selected individual pressurechanges, and a refresh button 130 for enabling the user to refresh atleast one item presented to the user that is a time based item.

FIG. 11 is a control state detail page. The control state detail pagecan have a control history tabular window 251. The control historytabular window 251 can show each control state 256, the date and timethe control entered the state 252, the date and time the control leftthe state 254, and the length of time the control remained in the state257.

The control selection menu 126 can be used to add or remove a controlfrom the report. The Clear All link 128 can be used to unselect all ofthe controls. The Refresh link 130 can allow the user to refresh atleast one item presented to the user that is a time based item.

The control state detail page can include a description of the site 118,an application description 132, the time stamp 120 for the last reportreceived from the site, and the last site time stamp 133A, 133B can bepresented to the user to indicate when information to a requestedresponse was provided to the administrative server from the siteprocessor. The control state detail page can also include a menu 121 forselecting other reports and displays, and a page address 119 to help theuser identify the current web page.

The control state detail page can include a calendar 122, a time scaleselector 124, and a site identifier 131. The time scale selector canallow the user to select a time scale for the control state detail page.

The control state detail page can include a time shift 135A, 135B, and astart date and time 138.

FIG. 12 is a pressure detail report for a 90 second interval. The rigpressure detail report 152 can show the details of a pressure changeover a small time window. The rig pressure detail page can have a graphof pressure versus time. The title 241 of the rig pressure detail reportcan indicate the date and time of the pressure change. The pressurescale 134 can be reported in pounds per square inch or another commonpressure unit. The tic marks 243 can be used on the pressure scale tovisually partition the scale.

The time scale of the graph 224 can be in seconds. The length the timescale 224 can range from 30 seconds to 180 seconds or longer ifrequired. One or more pressures 154 can be shown in the pressure versustime display.

The pressures 154 can be distinguished by using colors or different linetypes. A legend 225 can correlate the color or line type with thepressure. The pressure versus time graph can characterize one or more ofthe pressure changes by using a profile, such as a delta time interval246A, a delta pressure change value 246B, or combinations thereof. Timetic marks 206 can be illustrated within the pressure versus time graph.

FIG. 13 is a page allowing the user to edit at least one cycle count fora valve cycle or control cycle as part of a maintenance record 229. Thevalve cycle or control cycle maintenance page 229 can show a diagram 176that can document the valve configuration for the selected control. Theuser can select a valve from the diagram and change or reset the currentnumber of cycles. This feature can be used when a valve is replaced orhas been refurbished as part of the maintenance program.

The valve cycle or control cycle maintenance page 229 can include adescription of the site 118, a description of the application 132, thesite identifier 131, the time stamp 120 for the last report receivedfrom the site, the time stamp 133 can be presented to the user toindicate when information to a requested response was provided to theadministrative server from the site processor. The valve cycle orcontrol cycle maintenance page 229 can include a menu 121, for selectingother reports and displays and a page address 119 to help the useridentify the current web page.

The valve cycle or control cycle maintenance page 229 can include acontrol type or valve type. The valve cycle or control cycle maintenancepage 229 can include an add/cancel operation selection, a calendar dateselection 122, a reason description 233, a change cycle count selection174, an entered count selection 235, and a current count of valve cycles236.

The valve cycle or control cycle maintenance page 229 can include a“save current cycle information” 237 functionality, and a return to listwithout saving 238 functionality.

FIG. 14 is a depiction of a multi-equipment multi-time-period report 260as viewable by the user. The multi-equipment multi-time-period report260 can show multiple states of a plurality of equipment at the site,over a period of multiple days, as viewable by the user. The controlstate history can be viewed as a web page or as a PDF file.

The page 260 can give the user a convenient mechanism for viewing thecontrol history, which can highlight a trend or event that occurred overseveral days. The control history can be generated for any number ofdays. For example, 5 days, 10 days, 14 days or another appropriateinterval.

The multi-equipment multi-time-period report 260 can show a control nameand state 261A, 261B, 261C. The multi-equipment multi-time-period report260 can have at least one segment date 262A, 262B, 262C and a set oftime tic marks 245A, 245B, 245C. Each segment can have a start segmenttime and date 266A, 266B, 266C, a mid segment date and time 265A, 265B,265C, and an end segment time and date 264A, 264B, 264C.

FIG. 15A is a diagram of the steps involved in the method.

The method can include using a site data storage in communication with asite processor, wherein the site processor implements a plurality offunctionalities.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 501 for forming adatabase for the sensor data. The plurality of functionalities caninclude the step 502 for installing a plurality of site configurationlibraries, the step 503 for creating a site based website.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 504 for receivingand storing sensor data 13A in the site data storage from at least onesensor 10 attached to an equipment 11 at the site 6.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 505 for receivinga sensor signal 13, verifying that the sensor signal has been received,and storing the sensor signal in a database in the site data storage.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 506 for trackingdigital input using a digital input monitor, the step 507 for trackinganalog input using an analog input monitor, the step 508 for tracking ananalog detail using an analog detail monitor, or the step 509 fortransferring the digital input, the analog input, the analog detail, orcombinations thereof, using a data transfer device.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 510 for using asite task device to monitor the database, to identify a specific taskand to perform the specific task.

FIG. 15B is a continuation of FIG. 15A.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 511 for monitoringthe digital input monitor, the analog input monitor, the analog detailmonitor, the data transfer device, and the site task device by using asite process monitor to ensure each monitor or device is operatingcorrectly.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 512 of having thesite processor receive at least one request for status from theadministrative processor.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 513 of having thesite processor respond to the request for status from the administrativeprocessor.

The method can include the step 520 for using an administrative datastorage at a secondary location in communication with an administrativeprocessor, wherein the administrative processor implements a pluralityof functionalities.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 521 of installinga plurality of administrative configuration libraries.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 522 for forming anadministrative database 92.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 523 for forming anadministrative web server, wherein the web server receives, verifies,and stores the plurality of site signals transmitted from the siteprocessor.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 524 fortransmitting at least one task to the site database using anadministrative task transfer device.

FIG. 15C is a continuation of FIG. 15B.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 525 for having theadministrative processor receive a response from the site processor tothe request for status.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 526 for receivingdata, at least one message, at least one report, or combinations thereoffrom the site data storage.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 527 for combiningthe site configuration information with the plurality of site signals togenerate site data for equipment at the site.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 528 for presentingat least one control state to the user.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 529 for presentingat least one pressure data to the user.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 530 for presentingat least one control cycle to the user.

The plurality of functionalities can include the step 531 for presentingat least one valve cycle to the user.

The method can include the step 532 for using at least one user clientdevice to communicate with the secondary location, wherein the userclient device comprises a user display, a user processor and a user datastorage in communication with the user processor.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on theembodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than asspecifically described herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method to monitor a status from a secondarylocation of a plurality of equipment on a drilling site, whilesimultaneously enabling preventive maintenance, wherein the methodcomprises: a. using a site data storage, wherein the functionality ofthe site data storage comprises: (i) forming a database for sensor data;(ii) installing a plurality of site configuration libraries; (iii)creating a site based website; (iv) receiving and storing the sensordata from at least one sensor attached to equipment at the site; (v)receiving a sensor signal, verifying that the sensor signal has beenreceived, and storing the sensor signal in a database in the site datastorage; (vi) tracking digital input using a digital input monitor;(vii) tracking analog input using an analog input monitor; (viii)tracking an analog detail using an analog detail monitor; (ix)transferring the digital input, the analog input, the analog detail, orcombinations thereof, using a data transfer device; (x) using a sitetask device to monitor the database, and to identify and to perform aspecific task; (xi) monitoring the digital input monitor, the analoginput monitor, the analog detail monitor, the data transfer device, andthe site task device by using a site process monitor; (xii) receiving atleast one request for status from an administrative processor in anadministrative server at the secondary location; (xiii) having a siteprocessor respond to the at least one request for status from theadministrative processor using the site based website; and b. using anadministrative data storage in the administrative server at thesecondary location in communication with the administrative processor,wherein the functionality of the administrative data storage comprises:(i) installing a plurality of administrative configuration libraries;(ii) forming an administrative database; (iii) forming an administrativeweb server, wherein the web server receives, verifies, and stores aplurality of site signals transmitted from the site processor; (iv)transmitting at least one task to the site database using anadministrative task transfer device; (v) transmitting at least onerequest for status to the site processor; (vi) receiving a response tothe at least one request from the site processor; (vii) receiving atleast one data, at least one message, at least one report, andcombinations thereof from the site data storage; (viii) combining thesite configuration information with the plurality of site signals togenerate site data for equipment at the site; (ix) presenting at leastone control state to a user; (x) presenting at least one pressure changeto the user; (xi) presenting at least one control cycle to the user;(xii) presenting at least one valve cycle to the user comprising: 1.presenting a site description, wherein the site description comprises amember of the group: a name, an address, a code, a picture orcombinations thereof of the site;
 2. indicating a page address; 3.presenting a last report date and time from the site;
 4. presenting amenu of reports, presentations, documentation, and user administrationitems for selection by the user;
 5. enabling the user to select acontrol or a group of controls for viewing;
 6. enabling the user toclear a list of at least one control;
 7. enabling the user to refresh atleast one item presented to the user that is a time based item; 8.enabling the user to view an identifier for the site being monitored,wherein the identifier is an alpha code, a numeric code, a bar code, aphotograph, a diagram, a schematic, or combinations thereof; 9.presenting a time stamp to the user indicating when information to arequested response was provided to the administrative server from thesite processor;
 10. presenting a name of a control to the control cyclereport with an additional hyperlink to an additional report; 11.presenting a valve type;
 12. presenting a function of each control oreach valve;
 13. presenting a location for each control or each valve;14. presenting a number of cycles that each control or each valveexperienced;
 15. presenting a cycle count maximum for each valveselected;
 16. presenting a percentage of a current cycle count ascompared to the maximum cycle count for each valve selected; and c.using at least one user client device, to communicate with theadministrative server, wherein the user client device comprises a userdisplay, a user processor and a user data storage in communication witha user processor.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the administrativedata storage at the secondary location further comprises: a. allowingthe user to reset a cycle count for each valve or each control; b.allowing the user to enter a cycle count number to initiate a count; c.displaying a plurality of current cycles of each control or each valve;d. saving cycle information; e. enabling the user to return to aprevious screen without saving; f. presenting each control or each valvedescription; g. allowing the user to see a visual schematic to select avalve for resetting a each control cycle count or each valve cyclecount; h. allowing the user to input a description to indicate a reasonfor resetting a valve or cycle count; and i. allowing the user to selecta date for the cycle reset.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thepresenting at least one pressure change to the user further comprises:a. selecting at least one pressure change detail; b. clearing a list ofpressure change details; c. generating a time dependent pressure detailchart, wherein the time duration is from 30 seconds to 5 minutes on afine time scale; d. presenting pressure to the user, wherein thepressure is determined on a time versus pressure scale by name ofpressure type; e. presenting all pressures during any pressuretransition; f. presenting a type of pressure; g. presenting a pressurescale to the user; h. presenting a start and end time scale; i.presenting a start date for a chart requested by the user; j. presentinga time scale different from the start and end time scale; and k.presenting a pressure legend.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thesecondary location further comprises: a. presenting a calendar allowingthe user to select a date for viewing; b. enabling the user to select atime scale for viewing; c. presenting an indicator allowing the user toshift the time scale; d. for providing a start date for a chartrequested by the user; e. generating a start date and time of a controlstate interval; f. generating an end date and time of the control stateinterval; g. generating an indicator by color; and h. generating a timeduration of a control state interval.
 5. The method of claim 3, whereinthe generating a time dependent pressure detail chart further comprises:a. generating a title with time and date of a selected pressure change;b. presenting a pressure scale; and c. presenting a change in time, achange in pressure, or combinations thereof to characterize the pressuretransition.